Summary
When some hear the words “walking simulator,” it’s not something that immediately hooks people as a potentially popular video game genre. But believe it or not, games that fall under this niche category can actually be quite compelling.What Remains of Edith Finchis a prime example of this.
What Remains of Edith Finchtells its story through first-person exploration with very little gameplay, such as puzzle-solving or platforming. Instead, the game relies on visual storytelling to capture the player. There are not many games out there that have taken this exact approach, but by focusing on pure exploration and storytelling, walking simulators areworth giving a shot.
Updated on Jul 10, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Walking simulators have earned somewhat of a bad reputation, which is unfortunate. While it’s true that some of these titles don’t feature a ton of creativity, there are many others that do justice to the genre. The simple act of exploration is wildly satisfying if paired with great art direction, an engrossing narrative, and memorable set pieces that imprint themselves in the minds of players. What Remains of Edith Finch features all these strengths and will likely be engrossing enough to prompt fans to seek out more experiences in the same vein.
A cult classic game that has a strong community,Yume Nikkiis a game that has inspired severalmodern indie gems. The idea of exploring the dreams of a hikikomori and trying to make sense of what the player is seeing in any given scenario makes for a great time.
The concept of a shut-in receding to the realm of dreams is a real problem in countries like Japan, andYume Nikkitakes this scenario and rolls with it. It’s easy to see why this walking simulator is celebrated by the masses as a unique video game that almost feels like a piece of art at times.
The remake ofLayers of Fearis something most players deemed completely unnecessary, but the release of this title proved that an updated version of a unique psychological horror game wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Both the first game and its sequel are updated for this release, making for a fun experience.
The horrors inLayers of Fearare executed in a smart manner and make it riveting to solve the many puzzles that players encounter during this immersive walking simulator journey. It helps that the scares are paced out and built up properly, which makes for a fresh change of pace from other games in the genre that end up relying on cheap jumpscares more often than not.
A game called a “walking simulator” where the main means of traveling is swimming may feel strange, but the exploring element ofAbzuis reminiscent of other games in the genre. The player controls a nameless diver ina third-person perspectiveas she swims around an ocean exploring every nook and cranny.
Along the way, she is guided by a great white shark that leads her to wells that restore life to the ocean.Abzuhas no dialogue and strictly uses its visuals to tell the story.
The mod community for video games often goes the distance in expanding gameplay and story for titles that are already filled with them. But it’s not often mods become so popular that they become their own games, much like howThe Forgotten Citydid.
Originally aSkyrimmod,The Forgotten Cityfeatures a mystery about a buried Roman city and a significant rule being broken that turns all the civilians into golden statues. The game features a unique time loop mechanic that repeatedly brings players back to the start of the day to figure out the path to victory.
It’s rare for walking simulators to involve a ton of character interaction, butSludge Lifethrows players into such a unique world that it is hard not to talk to all the wild individuals. In a game about vandalism, players are GHOST, a tagger who is looking to make a name for themselves.
Players can roam around the many islands that make upSludge Life, which involves acquiring unique abilities that make exploring the area a lot more interesting. There are even some controls and mechanics that are just meant to entertain the player rather than progress the story, so it serves as a delightful sandbox, too.
14Proteus
A Walking Sim Where The Environment Is Always Unique, Courtesy Of An Ingenious Use Of Procedural Generation
If players are just looking to vibe with a chill experience and no goal in mind,Proteuscan provide just that. The game revolves around a player moving through a procedurally-generated,three-dimensional pixelated environmentand listening to fitting music as they experience each of the four seasons, from spring to winter.
Along the way, players will notice that different elements of nature that surround them affect the music as it is playing. Players can even take photos with the game using the “save a postcard” feature, too, so there’s a lot of fun to be had aside from just walking.
13Ether One
A Thought-Provoking Adventure Game With Tough Puzzles Here And There
Storytelling can be compelling, but sometimes it can be tragic.Ether Onefocuses on Jean Thompson, who has been diagnosed with dementia. The player takes on the role of a restorer whose goal is to investigate Jean’s thoughts and reconstruct her memories through three-dimensional exploration.
The game does have players solve puzzles, but thesepuzzles become harderto understand to point out Jean’s struggles with her condition. However, the puzzle-solving element is optional as the main objective is exploration and discovery.
Narratives drive most walking simulators, with most guiding the player through the story without turning back. This is whyTacomais so interesting. It allows individuals to revisit certain moments in the story through the ability to rewind and fast-forward through scenes.
Players will step foot into a space station and explore it while learning about the story of the crew that was once on it. Through the surveillance system, players are able to see conversations and scenarios that have played out on the ship and relive them.
Initially a mod forHalf-Life 2,The Stanley Parablebecame a full-fledged gamefilled with humorand mystery. The game revolves around an office worker named Stanley who opens his office door one day to discover all of his co-workers are gone. Players must explore the office with the help of a narrator telling his story.
Each path leads to a different conclusion, but regardless of how the path ends, players are reset at the beginning ofThe Stanley Parableto try a different path out of the simulation.
10The Beginner’s Guide
A Satirical And Somewhat Eye-Opening Look At Video Game Development
Some of the best walking simulators are the ones that take the player on a journey that they weren’t necessarily expecting.The Beginner’s Guideis a game by Davey Wreden, the original creator ofThe Stanley Parable, and also features him as the narrator.
What seems like a premise around showing off a friend’s work turns into an experience that toils with subjects like how people try to interpret every game that they play and the need for validation in the creative process.
